Politics

---

NEWS 10/14/25 11:50pm

Elon Town Council schedules code enforcement, discusses disputes over pavement on East Haggard Avenue

By Alannah Klingsporn

The Elon Town Council discussed updates to retirement bonuses, the Elon Fire Department’s 100th anniversary and scheduled code enforcement during their meeting Oct. 14. Town council members voted to schedule code enforcement every January for tenants and landlords to abide by. Kristin Cummings is the code enforcement officer for Elon and patrols the area for violations of Elon residents' properties. “The ultimate goal is to change behavior and prevent it from happening in the first place.” Mayor Emily Sharpe said. 

---

NEWS 10/14/25 9:51pm

Elon Poll finds North Carolinians concerned about public safety following recent incidents

By Nia Bedard

A recent Elon Poll, published on Oct. 14, found that North Carolinians are concerned with public safety following the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on Aug. 22 in Charlotte, N.C. and a mass shooting on Sept. 27 in Southport, N.C. With a sample of 800 North Carolina adults, the Elon Poll found that 61% of respondents were very or someone concerned about their own safety from crime in outdoor areas with large crowds. 59% of respondents were very or somewhat concerned about their safety while on public transportation. 

---

NEWS 10/10/25 6:10pm

PBS North Carolina begins to lay off employees

By Alannah Klingsporn

PBS North Carolina has laid off employees due to cuts from federal funding. According to the Raleigh The News & Observer, PBS North Carolina has laid off 32 employees and eliminated 16 vacant positions, in addition to offering voluntary separations due to federal funding cuts to public media. In July 2025, President Donald Trump signed the Rescissions Act of 2025, which included a provision to cancel all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting . The CPB, which is a private, non-profit organization, funnels federal money to public media stations like National Public Radio  and The Public Broadcasting Service across the country.

---

NEWS 10/9/25 1:06pm

Republican National Committee backs Michael Whatley for Senate ahead of primary

By Kate Gray

The Republican National Committee endorsed Michael Whatley as senator for North Carolina ahead of the midterm primary elections, sparking ethical concerns about early endorsements. The position opened in June, when current senator Thom Tillis announced he would not be running for reelection in the 2026 midterms, and Democrats now have the chance to flip the seat. Their endorsement of Whatley is unusual because both the RNC and the GOP typically refrain from endorsing candidates until they have been confirmed as the party nominee or are running unopposed, according to Christopher Cooper, professor of political science at Western Carolina University.

---

NEWS 10/9/25 1:06pm

El Comité Nacional Republicano respalda a Michael Whatley para el Senado antes de las primarias

By Kate Gray

El Comité Nacional Republicano (RNC) respaldó a Michael Whatley como senador por Carolina del Norte antes de las elecciones primarias de mitad de mandato, lo que generó inquietudes éticas sobre las recomendaciones anticipadas. El puesto se abrió en junio, cuando el actual senador Thom Tillis anunció que no se postularía a la reelección en las elecciones de mitad de mandato de 2026, y los demócratas ahora tienen la oportunidad de revertir el escaño. Su respaldo a Whatley es inusual, ya que tanto el RNC como el Partido Republicano suelen abstenerse de respaldar a candidatos hasta que hayan sido confirmados como candidatos del partido o se presenten sin oposición, según Christopher Cooper, profesor de ciencias políticas en la Universidad de Western Carolina.

---

NEWS 10/8/25 12:27pm

NC governor proposes red flag laws after Southport shooting

By Fiona McAllister

After a mass shooting in Southport, North Carolina killed three people and left five others injured, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein brought up the idea of introducing red flag laws. Red flag laws allow the government to temporarily require people to turn their guns in if their mental health may be seen as a threat. "It's a good idea," Stein said during a press conference. "There are people, in our community, who people know are a risk. A risk to others, a risk to themselves, and they should not have access to firearms."

---

NEWS 10/8/25 10:09am

‘Iryna’s Law’ may spark return of death penalty in NC

By Miles Hayford

After going almost two decades without carrying out executions, North Carolina is inching toward a return to the death penalty with the passage of HB 307, a new criminal justice law, in the North Carolina General Assembly. “Iryna’s Law,” signed into law Oct. 3, eliminates cashless bail in some circumstances, establishes a new mental health evaluation protocol and restricts pretrial conditions for the release of violent offenders. But it also contains an amendment from Senate leader Phil Berger that would direct the state to find another form of execution if lethal injection.

---

NEWS 10/8/25 10:09am

La “Ley Iryna” podriá reactivar la pena de muerte en Carolina del Norte

By Miles Hayford

Tras casi dos décadas sin ejecutar ejecuciones, Carolina del Norte avanza lentamente hacia el regreso a la pena de muerte con la aprobación de la HB 307, una nueva ley de justicia penal, en la Asamblea General de Carolina del Norte. La "Ley de Iryna", promulgada el 3 de octubre, elimina la fianza sin pago de efectivo en ciertas circunstancias, establece un nuevo protocolo de evaluación de salud mental y restringe las condiciones previas al juicio para la liberación de delincuentes violentos. Además, incluye una enmienda del líder del Senado, Phil Berger, que ordenaría al estado buscar otra forma de ejecución en lugar de la inyección letal.

---

NEWS 10/1/25 1:32pm

Gov. Stein signs executive order to implement AI in North Carolina government

By Trista Panagakos

As artificial intelligence becomes more prominent in the lives of students, workers and everyday citizens, the North Carolina state government is tapping into the transformative technology. Gov. Josh Stein signed an executive order Sept. 2 that focused on how artificial intelligence can enhance the state government and technology sector of North Carolina. The executive order established an AI leadership council, an AI accelerator, oversight teams for each state agency and training programs for AI literacy and fraud prevention.

---

NEWS 9/30/25 11:43am

Elon Town Council discusses a new pump station through Gibsonville, new retirement benefits, updates on new appointments

By Alannah Klingsporn

Elon Town Council discussed retirement benefits, new parking available for community establishments and an additional education awareness in Beth Schmidt Park during their meeting on Sept. 29. Elon Town Council is planning to give employees who have served for over 25 years a $5,000 retirement bonus.  “The fact that we have people that have given their whole careers to a town, this is the least that we can do for them, is to show them that we appreciate all the hard work that they've done and that they have made a commitment to this community,” Council member Stephanie Bourland said.

---

NEWS 9/24/25 6:56pm

Elon’s Student Government Association helps fund HealthEU rock wall

By Fiona McAllister

As Elon University's new HealthEU building is growing from the ground up, Elon’s Student Government Association lended a huge helping hand in making it happen: $250,000 to be exact. A record signed on March 13, 2025, states that the Vice President of Student Life, Jon Dooley, approached SGA asking for funds to contribute to the rock wall that will go into HealthEU. SGA offered to match a $250,000 donation to total a donation of $500,000. In this record, it states that Dooley would honor this commitment by permanently naming an area of the HealthEU building for SGA. 

---

NEWS 9/22/25 7:04pm

Charlie Kirk’s killing at Utah Valley University sparks online threats, free speech debates

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, setting off waves of shock and speculation across multiple social media platforms. That same night and into the next morning, anonymous posts on social platforms like Fizz and YikYak appeared, with some sending love, but others sending political shame or threats. “In anonymous apps, some of the questions relate to ‘how public is this speech?’” Director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center Lee Rainie said. 

---

NEWS 9/22/25 12:46pm

Elon Town Council to give bonuses for staff with college degrees

By Miles Hayford

The Elon Town Council will now give out annual bonuses to any municipal staff member with a college degree that exceeds the minimum requirements of their position, one of many recruiting techniques that the town is employing to stay competitive with other communities. “We have been working for the last several years on rewarding employees for going beyond the minimum,” Elon Town Manager Rich Roedner said. “We're working to try and identify those types of certificates or skill sets that are not just part of the everyday job, but mark somebody from being a step above deserving of a financial bonus.”

---

NEWS 9/21/25 10:46pm

Students, community members attend Charlie Kirk vigil at Elon University

By Miles Hayford

Candles, flowers and American flags were strewn across a table set up at Medallion Plaza, honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk during the College Republicans’ vigil for Kirk at Elon University. The Elon College Republicans hosted the event along with students planning to organize a Turning Point USA at Elon. Junior Parker Stevens, a new member of the College Republicans, led a prayer for both Kirk and his family, but also for forgiveness for Kirk’s killer. “This is where we need to speak. Universities are supposed to be places where we can come and we can talk about different opinions,” Stevens said.

---

NEWS 9/21/25 4:57pm

Elon University student organizations react to new funding request model

By Trista Panagakos

As student organizations prepare to host events and welcome new members, many have already been affected by the new funding model the Student Government Association is utilizing for funding requests. SGA receives a portion of the student activity fees students are charged to distribute to organizations.  The funding request model was changed last spring to follow a quarterly system, where organizations will have to request money in advance for events and celebrations they wish to hold. The previous model allowed for organizations to request funds on a rolling basis. 

---

NEWS 9/19/25 2:12pm

Elon University students react to death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk

By Fiona McAllister

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10 during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Kirk had built a reputation for traveling both across the United States and internationally to engage in debates at colleges and universities as well as starting Turning Point USA, a group originally started by Kirk that aims to promote conservative politics to young people. His death has sparked reflection among students at Elon University about the role of political discourse and gun control.

---

NEWS 9/19/25 12:23am

Elon University president answers questions about Queens University of Charlotte merger

By Fiona McAllister

Elon University President Connie Book answered questions from Elon’s Student Government Association about the potential merger with Queens University on Sept. 18 and how it will affect sports, potential transfer students and staff. Book said this idea began at the beginning of this academic year as she was visiting other colleges and universities in the area. Book said she is looking to gauge more questions and feedback about this potential merger from students and staff. In addition to Book answering questions about the merger with Queens, Elon class of 2029 senators, president and treasurer were also sworn in at the meeting.

---

NEWS 9/18/25 1:18pm

Puestos municipales en juego para las elecciones de noviembre

By Miles Hayford

Los preparativos para las elecciones municipales del condado de Alamance de noviembre están en marcha, y la inscripción de candidatos ya está completa a medida que se acerca el día de las elecciones. El voto en ausencia por correo comienza el 3 de octubre y la votación anticipada el 16 de octubre, según la Junta Electoral de Alamance. La votación por correo finaliza a las 5 p. m. del 21 de octubre y la votación anticipada a las 3 p. m. del 1 de noviembre. El registro de votantes para las elecciones de noviembre cierra el 10 de octubre a las 5 p. m.

---

NEWS 9/18/25 1:18pm

Municipal positions up for grabs in November elections

By Miles Hayford

Preparations for the Alamance County municipal elections this November are underway, with all candidate filing finalized as Election Day inches closer. Absentee voting by mail begins Oct. 3 and early voting begins Oct. 16, according to the Alamance Board of Elections. Voting by mail ends at 5 p.m. Oct. 21 and early voting ends at 3 p.m. Nov. 1. Voter registration for the November election closes Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. To find out what voting precinct you live in and the available polling locations, visit the Alamance Board of Elections’ website.

---

NEWS 9/15/25 11:06pm

NC College Voter Summit returns to Elon, encourages voting in local elections

By Kate Gray

The 10th annual NC College Voter Summit was held at Elon University and involved students and staff from 16 schools across the state. It was co-organized and co-sponsored by members of the NC Campus Voting Coalition. “A lot of college students, especially if they're not from the city or the state that they're going to college in, might feel like they don't necessarily have a role to vote in that community,” Samantha Delap said, a program coordinator for North Carolina Campus Engagement. “That's not true, because it's your electricity bill, it's the sidewalks that you walk on."

---